The first movement of J. S. Bach's Cantata BWV 147, Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben (Heart and mouth and deed and living), which he composed in Leipzig in 1723. Also known as the Cantata for the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Readings: Epistle: Isaiah 11: 1-5; Gospel: Luke 1: 39-56).
Here, performed by the Concentus Musicus Vienna, with the Arnold Schoenberg Choir, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, conductor.
Heart and mouth and deed and living
Must for Christ their witness offer
Without fear and falsity
That he God and Savior is.
Must for Christ their witness offer
Without fear and falsity
That he God and Savior is.
(The melody for the sixth and tenth movements is better known, individually, as "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." This melody was not Bach's originally, it was German violinist and composer, Johann Schop's, melody, Werde Munter.)
Lovely! I particularly liked seeing all the period instruments, like that horn without the extra coils (the whole thing ended up longer, like a trombone, but with a trumpet's tone). The conductor's enthusiasm was fascinating, too - I don't think he ever blinked. "Honor to you... and your house!"
Posted by: moominpapa | November 05, 2008 at 09:33 PM